Our Fitness Blog

The Needle Of Desire

When it comes to nutrition, fitness and body composition goals that individuals set, there is a good bit of motivation behind these goals. For example, individuals may say things such as, "I really want to lose 40 pounds." Or, "I really want to increase my fitness level over the next six months." Or, "I really want to improve my overall health, reduce my blood pressure and blood sugar and get off of all of my medications." Or, "I really want to take 30 seconds off of my 5K running time." Or, “I am so ready to lose this weight; I really want to be lighter!”

There is a common phrase in each of these statements and that is, "I really want to…" Now, on the surface, this sounds pretty powerful, right? But, there is a big difference between "really wanting it" and, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes." These are two completely different ends of the spectrum. 'Wanting it' and wanting goals to become a reality is great. But it's a world away from being willing to do whatever it takes for those goals and dreams to become a reality. The key is that we have to have a serious talk with ourselves and find out where our needle of desire is. Is our needle of desire left of center, pointing towards, "I really want to"; or, do you have that needle pegged all the way to the right pointing directly at, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes?"

I've heard individuals say, "Rick, I am really ready to get this excess weight off. I really want to lose this weight. But, I still want to go out on the weekends and drink with my friends." This is a great example of, wanting it; but, the needle of desire is not quite yet on, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes." It's not a matter of one decision being better than the other. Or, decisions being right versus wrong. Rather, it simply just a decision. The key is that we have to accept the consequences, good or bad, they come from our decisions.

If we are honest with ourselves and we realize that we really want our goals to become reality, but we are not quite willing to do whatever it takes to make those goals a reality, then we have to accept the fact that there is a good chance we will fall short of our goals. If an individual is overweight and desires to transform their body, but is not quite yet willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen; well, he/she has to accept the fact that they will remain overweight and fall short of their goal. And again, this is not a matter of right versus wrong or one decision being better than the other. It's just simply understanding where we are, mentally, in our approach towards our body transformation goals.

Go through each one of your goals and ask yourself where the needle of desire is. This is a great way to look at each goal and to determine if the goal versus the commitment level is lined up. This is a very fun and exciting process because it really keeps us focused and keeps us grounded. Plus, it will help us realize why we may not be achieving the goals we have set. Because again, just wanting it to happen is not enough. We have to be willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. And if at this time we are not willing to do whatever it takes to make a certain goal become reality, not a problem; this is not a sign of weakness or defeat, not even close. Rather, this is a very good sign of honesty with yourself, as this is a key to success. When you are ready to do whatever it takes, it will be very evident. You will see the needle of desire go from left of center to as far right as possible.